New Radio Foyle schedule announcement imminent

A REFRESHED Radio Foyle schedule will be announced by the BBC within weeks.

A spokesman for BBC Northern Ireland told the Sentinel a review of programming in the North West was still underway.

"We are still in the process of carefully reviewing any schedule changes to BBC Radio Foyle to further strengthen the station's offering and its connection with our north west audiences.

“We hope to make a detailed announcement on the refreshed BBC Radio Foyle schedule in the coming weeks. We have nothing further to add at this time," the spokeperson said.

The corporation refused to be drawn on speculation that sections of The Stephen Nolan show are set to go out on Radio Foyle for the first time. The BBC has said Radio Foyle and Radio Ulster will share more content as part of the shake-up.

In January this year BBC chiefs promised listeners a refreshed schedule to enhance the impact and benefits of the station for audiences.

The plans, announced at the Nerve Centre, were billed as a method of developing the station's role as a production base for the BBC Northern Ireland-wide services while delivering value for money to licence fee payers.

The plans mooted then included: a morning peak-time Foyle Breakfast Show with a focus on news and speech; an extended lunchtime magazine programme in peak to include news at 1.00pm; an extension of local news bulletins beyond 4.00pm to 6.00pm; a new afternoon entertainment show; More NI radio content from Radio Foyle for BBC Radio Ulster including a new weekly Arts Extra programme and a Sunday afternoon music programme; more shared Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle content. Saturday Sportsound will now be available in the North West including better coverage of sports fixtures in the region.